With just over a fortnight until football’s biggest event kicks off, the preparations are on in earnest for what promises to be a spectacular World Cup in Russia.
It’s difficult to imagine a World Cup without Italy, Netherlands, Chile, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and the good ol’ U.S. of A.
For those countries who were good enough (like Australia), hard decisions are being made on who gets a plane ticket to Russia. The preliminary squads have thrown up some shocks and some players will be watching on the couch from home along with the armchair fans.
Take a look at some of the players that will be taking a knee with the rest of us when the World Cup kicks off with hosts Russia taking on Saudi Arabia in the Group A opener.
Joe Hart – England – Goalkeeper
Joe Hart was normally one of the first names read out when England squads were announced in the past, but that was until Hart struggled to hold down a place at West Ham. After falling down the pecking order at Manchester City, Torino and West Ham it’s easy to see why Gareth Southgate opted to look elsewhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn_SNxg9Iyg
Alex Sandro – Brazil – LB
After an average season with Juventus in Turin, expect Sandro to spend the World Cup break shopping for his next club. The Juventus star was snubbed in favour of Filipe Luis and Real Madrid’s Marcelo. The Brazilian will be on the way out the door this Summer with Manchester United, Chelsea or PSG one of the likely destinations.
David Luiz – Brazil – CB
The play station defender, who looks like Sideshow Bob didn’t make the cut for Russia. It may be the last time that we see the Chelsea defender turn out for the national team and while he may not be missed by his own fans, he definitely does have a place in Luis Suarez’s highlight reel.
Shkodran Mustafi – Germany – CB
Anyone wanting to know why the German defender won’t be on the plane to Russia only needs to ask the Arsenal fans in their social circle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6dsuHCnk80
Hector Bellerin – Spain – RB
Another Arsenal player, paying the price for a poor run of results under former Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger. Bellerin has only featured four times for the national side who have opted for Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal.
Jack Wilshire – England – Midfield
The English midfielder comes from the Joe Hart school of football hard knocks. The Arsenal midfielder has had a wretched few years with injury and simply has failed to live up to the hype.
Radja Nainggolan – Belgium – Midfield
In a side that features Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, it’s inevitable that will be tears when someone misses selections. Radja didn’t take kindly to the selection axe, promptly announcing his retirement from the international team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrBQIp1UcvU
Cesc Fabregas – Spain – Midfield
The Chelsea midfielder can consider himself unlucky, but an average season with Chelsea meant that he was overlooked for Isco.
Anthony Martial – France – Attacking Midfielder
The French wonder kid isn’t the first player to have a tough time of things under manager José Mourinho. The French striker came to Old Trafford under the weight of a big transfer fee and massive expectations. While watching his side take on the Socceroos in Group C, he’ll be on the lookout for a possible new gig with Chelsea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zDPRIT0Dq0
Mario Gotze – Germany – Attacking Midfield
Super Mario was once touted as the German version of Lionel Messi except he actually won a World Cup. The German attacking midfielder may have scored the winner in the final at the last tournament in Rio but was always going to have a hard time making the plane after an injury-riddled season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – ST – Sweden
Zlatan may still be speaking about himself in the third person and scoring the occasional goal for the LA Galaxy in the MLS, but the former Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United marksman has elected not to come out of retirement for the World Cup, despite previously hinting that he would.